Dianthus plant named ‘KLEDP16226’

ABSTRACT

A new Dianthus plant particularly distinguished by dark red double flowers, and an upright to spreading habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dianthus caryophyllus.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEDP16226’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEDP16226’. ‘KLEDP16226’ originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary female parent ‘DCP-2009-1001’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘DCP-2009-0195’ (unpatented) in May 2010 in Stuttgart, Germany. A single plant was selected in June 2011 and designated ‘KLEDP16226’.

In August 2011, ‘KLEDP16226’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings. ‘KLEDP16226’ was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation in Stuttgart, Germany via vegetative stem cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Dark red double flowers;     -   2. Good vigor; and     -   3. An upright to spreading habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Dianthus plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph of a plant approximately 8 weeks old and grown in a greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany. The photograph shows the whole plant, including the flowers and foliage and buds and was taken in April 2016 in Stuttgart, Germany. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEDP16226’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. Data was collected in April 2017 on 7-month old plants grown in a plastic greenhouse. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Caryophyllaceae.         -   Botanical.—Dianthus caryophyllus.         -   Common.—Pot carnation.         -   Designation.—‘KLEDP16226’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary Dianthus variety             ‘DCP-2009-1001’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary Dianthus variety             ‘DCP-2009-0195’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Plant form.—Upright to spreading.         -   Plant height.—13.0 cm to 15.0 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—20.0 cm to 24.0 cm.         -   Propagation type.—Vegetative cuttings, stem cutting.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—14 to 16 days.         -   Root description.—White, fine.         -   Rooting habit (shape).—Lanceolate. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Number of lateral branches.—8.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3 cm to 0.5 cm.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   Number of internodes per branch/stem.—4 to 6.         -   Node length.—0.3 cm to 0.5 cm.         -   Node diameter.—0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS 144A.         -   Branch/stem appearance.—Solid. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, sessile.         -   Length.—5.0 cm to 7.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.5 cm to 0.7 cm.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower surface:             RHS 138B.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS N137A. Lower surface:             RHS N137C.         -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS N137A. Lower surface: RHS             N137C. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Round, double, small sprays.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to fall.         -   Position of flowers relative to the foliage.—Slightly above.         -   Number of flowers per spray.—3 to 4.         -   Flower longevity on the plant.—10 to 14 days.         -   Buds.—Length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter: 1.0 cm to             1.4 cm. Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS 137A and RHS 144A.             Extrusion of the styles at the bud stage: Present.         -   Corolla.—Quantity of petals and arrangement: 20 to 25,             whorled. Corolla height: 1.5 cm to 2.0 cm. Corolla diameter:             1.0 cm to 1.2 cm. Petal length: 3.0 cm. Petal width: 1.5 cm.             Petal shape: Spoon-shaped. Petal apex: Obtuse. Petal base:             Acute. Petal margin: Crenate. Depth of petal margin: Medium.             Petal texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Petal             luster (both surfaces): Absent. Petal color: Immature: Upper             surface: RHS 185A. Lower surface: RHS 185B. Mature: Upper             surface: RHS 185A. Lower surface: RHS 185B.         -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals and arrangement: Composed of 5             sepals. Shape: Campanulate. Calyx height: 2.0 cm to 2.4 cm.             Calyx diameter (at the apex): 0.8 cm to 1.0 cm. Sepal             length: 1.0 cm to 1.2 cm. Sepal diameter: 0.8 cm to 1.0 cm.             Sepal apex: Acute. Sepal base: Obtuse. Sepal margin: Entire.             Sepal luster (both surfaces): Absent. Sepal texture (both             upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Sepal arrangement:             Whorled. Sepal color: Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower             surface: RHS 137D. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—10.0 cm to 14.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS N137A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity per flower: Moderate. Filament length: 0.5             cm to 0.7 cm. Filament color: RHS 157B. Anther length:             0.1 cm. Anther diameter: 0.05 cm. Anther color: RHS 161A.             Pollen amount: Absent.         -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Pistil length: 0.1 cm.             Style length: 0.5 cm. Style color: RHS N155C. Stigma shape:             Filamentous. Stigma color: RHS N155C. Ovary size: 0.8 cm to             1.0 cm. Ovary shape: Oval. Ovary color: RHS 145B. -   Fruit and seed set: Seed is sometimes observed, but no information     on the seed is available. -   Disease and pest/insect resistance: No disease and pest/insect     resistance observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINE AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEDP16226’ is distinguished from its parents as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female Parent Male Parent Characteristic ‘KLEDP16226’ ‘DCP-2009-1001’ ‘DCP-2009-0195’ Flower color Dark red Cherry red Yellow

‘KLEDP16226’ can be compared to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘Oscar Dark Red’, also known as ‘KLEDP11108’ (unpatented). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Characteristic ‘KLEDP16226’ ‘Oscar Dark Red’ Flower shape Strong filled, larger double Smaller double flowers flowers than ‘Oscar Dark Red’ than ‘KLEDP16226’ Vigor Vigorous, for 14 More compact, for 10 cm to 16 cm pots cm to 12 cm pots 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Dianthus plant designated ‘KLEDP16226’ as illustrated and described herein. 